Statement from Amanda Skinner, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England

“The protests led by white supremacists in Charlottesville, VA are an appalling and horrifying attack on people of color and the Jewish community. This was not an exercise of free speech, it was an explicit display of the racism that still exists in our nation, led by people who came prepared for confrontation.

“Planned Parenthood of Southern New England condemns the ideology of white nationalism and neo-Nazism, and its tactics of intimidation through racist violence, fear, and hate. Our strength and commitment to southern New England is built on the diversity of our staff, the patients we serve, and the communities where we live and work.

“Now, more than ever, it is unacceptable to remain silent as marginalized and oppressed communities still face violence and hatred simply for standing up for the freedom, liberty, and justice they deserve. We condemn these actions, and will continue to work relentlessly and collectively to put an end to white supremacy. In order for our country to live up to its promise and democratic values, bigotry of all kinds must be rejected.

“Planned Parenthood stands with people of color and allies in the face of such appalling attacks fueled by hate. We believe in the fundamental right of every person to live free from discrimination regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or economic status. We will tolerate no less.”

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Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is one of the region’s largest providers of family planning and reproductive health care services. Since 1923, PPSNE has evolved into an organization with 18 health centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island, delivering care to nearly 70,000 patients annually, and 90 percent of the services provided are preventive. PPSNE is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which celebrated 100 years of reproductive health care on October 16, 2016.